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Friday, November 30, 2007

Public Speaking : Old Humor is Good Humor

Using old humor at a public speaking event is not as bad as one might think. Most audiences won’t remember the specific details or the punch line for a variety of reasons. You can use this as a benefit because old jokes are tried and true. They’ve been tested, approved, and given a shiny gold star by the masses. Take the gold star and run with it. Just make sure you buffer your old humor when including it in a public speaking presentation. Tell your audience it’s old, that way you aren’t really taking credit for the joke, and they won’t be disappointed if they’ve heard it already.

Also, you can modify the old jokes in your public speaking presentation by including current or timely information. For example, if you are telling a joke that includes a President of the United States, change the name from John F. Kennedy to George W. Bush. Such a small detail ensures the joke connects with your public speaking audience in some fashion.

When used correctly and tailored, old humor can add a silver lining to your public speaking event. Humor is almost never a bad call, especially preapproved humor! Who knows, maybe the audience members will even thank you for reminding them about a joke they’d forgotten and loved!

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